Sugary Drinks, Fructose, and the Risk of Gout in Men
Dr. Kumar’s Take
This study is a turning point: it shifts the focus of gout prevention beyond meat and alcohol to sugar, especially fructose. For years, patients were told to avoid purines but could drink juice freely. This research shows that was a mistake. If you’re prone to gout, managing sugar intake may matter as much, or even more than cutting red meat.
Key Takeaways
- Men who drank two or more sugary soft drinks daily had an 85% higher risk of gout compared to those who rarely drank them.
- Fructose intake doubled gout risk when comparing the highest to lowest intake groups.
- Fruit juices and fructose-rich fruits (apples, oranges) also increased risk, though less strongly.
- Diet sodas were neutral—they did not raise gout risk.
- Fructose raises uric acid by depleting cellular energy stores, a mechanism similar to alcohol.
Actionable Tip
If you’re at risk of gout, limit sugary drinks and fruit juices. Water, sparkling water, coffee, or tea are safer choices. Whole fruits can still be part of your diet, but emphasize lower-fructose fruits like berries over daily servings of juice or apples/oranges.